Literature: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

These sites are about the book “The Giver,” which explores themes of utopia and diversity. Learn more about author Lois Lowry and her thoughts about this Newberry Award-winning book. Includes discussion questions, quizzes, and handouts. There is a link to eThemes Resources Author Study: Lois Lowry, Utopias and Literature: “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry.

These resources for Lois Lowry's "The Giver" include: context; plot overview; character list; analysis of major characters; themes, motifs and symbols; summary and analysis; important quotations explained; key facts; study questions and essay topics; quiz; and suggestions for further reading.

Scroll down for teaching ideas for "The Giver." One idea is to have a pro-sameness versus pro-diversity debate. Click on "Further Reading" for a list of books that have themes similar to those in "The Giver."

These websites are about author Lois Lowry. Included are biographies, interviews with the author, and bibliographies. There is information about her memoir, "Looking Back." View a video clip of Lowry talking about the art of writing and read the text of her Newbery acceptance speech for the book "The Giver." There are links to eTheme Resources on Lowry's books "The Giver" and "Number the Stars."

These resources are about Utopias, dystopias, and planned communities. Read about several historical intentional communities and the dystopian tradition in literature and film. Find out what these communities had in common, how they differed, and why some of them have failed and others continue to exist. Compare existing or historical experimental communities to fictional Utopias. Includes eThemes resources on "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, "Animal Farm" by George Orwell, and forms of government.